Abstract: The present invention relates to a vascular stent that includes an expandable stent defining an interior compartment, a first polymeric layer exposed to the interior compartment defined by the stent, the first layer comprising an agent that promotes re-endothelialization, an agent that inhibits thrombosis, or a combination thereof, and a second polymeric layer at least partially external of the stent, the second layer being adapted for contacting a vascular surface and being characterized by pores that are substantially impermeable to vascular smooth muscle cell migration. Method of making and using the vascular stent are also disclosed.

Abstract: A non-woven composite is disclosed, comprising a first layer, further comprising a biodegradable component; and a second layer, further comprising a biodegradation enhancement component, the second layer being bonded to the first layer. As each of these two layers has a biodegradable component, overall biodegrading is enhanced. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.

Abstract: A stretchable nonwoven, laminated fabric having one or more cotton containing surface layers thermally bonded to one or both sides of a thermoplastic filament fiber core layer and a method for fabricating the fabric. These fabrics after being subjected to a heat-stretching process can provide instantaneous elastic recoveries of 83% to 93% for 50% extension. Furthermore, the fabric exhibits a hand similar to cotton knits, good strength, good wetting, good wicking good water retention, and minimal linting characteristics and can be used for medical applications. Consolidated nonwoven laminated fabrics are also disclosed which can provide instantaneous elastic recovery.

Abstract: Hydrophobic polymer materials having improved dyeability with water-based dyes are prepared by treating a hydrophobic polymer with aglow discharge plasma generated from working gases selected from SO2, O2, N2, He, H2, CO2, CF4, NO, N2O, 2-Hydroxypropyl Methacrylate (HPMA), air or combinations thereof, in which a treated material comprises a hydrophobic inner core and a hydrophilic outer sheath having polar functional groups. A method of treating hydrophobic polymer materials using a glow discharge plasma, preferably at high pressure (e.g., about 50 Torr or greater), thereby modifying the active surface characteristics of the polymer to contain polar functional groups is also presented.

Abstract: This invention is directed towards a porous composite having an inlet face and an exit face and further comprises intermingled meltblown fibers and staple fibers which define a density gradient from coarse pores at the inlet face to fine pores at the exit face.

Abstract: A web or film is electrostatically charged by sequentially subjecting the web or film to a series of electric fields such that adjacent electric fields have substantially opposite polarities. Both a method and apparatus are disclosed for charging the web or film.

Abstract: A staple fiber web is disclosed which contains pleats having staple fibers which are commingled with staple fibers from adjoining pleats. The commingling permits denser packing of pleats on the web and increases filtering efficiency and stability of the web. Methods of manufacturing the pleated staple fiber web are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a planar consolidated multilayered nonwoven web comprising reduced pore sizes. The present invention also relates to a method for forming a planar consolidated multilayered nonwoven web which is elastic in the cross direction and which comprises a first and a second layer.

Abstract: A web or film is electrostatically charged by sequentially subjecting the web or film to a series of electric fields such that adjacent electric fields have substantially opposite polarities. Both a method and apparatus are disclosed for charging the web or film.

Abstract: A novel pleated fibrous structure is disclosed, which fibrous structure comprises a layer of a pleated split fiber film. The layer of split fiber film may be electrostatically charged. The pleated split fiber film may be part of a composite fibrous structure further comprising a support of a nonwoven or scrim.

Abstract: Dimensionally stable (shrink-resistant) polyester fibers, webs and fabrics, comprising a nucleating agent incorporated into the fibers are disclosed. Methods of incorporating the nucleating agent within the polyester are disclosed.

Abstract: Nonwoven webs consolidated and elastic transverse direction, laminates and methods of making same are disclosed.

Abstract: A web or film is electrostatically charged by sequentially subjecting the web or film to a series of electric fields such that adjacent electric fields have substantially opposite polarities. Both a method and apparatus are disclosed for charging the web or film.

Abstract: A multilayered nonwoven composite web particularly useful as a substitute for a woven web such as a textile web, and having improved liquid wicking and retention properties comprising a first layer of fibrous material selected from the group consisting of thermoplastic meltblown man-made fibers, thermoplastic spunbonded man-made fibers, thermoplastic man-made staple fibers and combinations thereof, this first layer being light weight, and a second layer of cellulosic-based fibers, preferably cotton fibers, the first and second layers being thermally bonded together over about 5 to 75% of the surface area of the web to form a coherent web having an air permeability of between about 25 and about 37 ft.sup.3 /min/ft.sup.2 (0.127 and 0.188 m.sup.3 /sec/m.sup.2). In a preferred embodiment, the composite web includes at least a third layer of thermoplastic man-made fibers and the layer of cellulose-based fibers is sandwiched between the two layers of thermoplastic man-made fibers.

Abstract: A method for post-treating a laminated precursor nonwoven web which includes layers of thermoplastic man-made fibers and at least one layer of cellulose-based staple natural fibers, including consolidating the web laterally and thereby reducing the maximum pore size measure of the web. The precursor web and the resultant consolidated nonwoven web are also disclosed, as is utilization of the product web in medical uses.

Abstract: A pair of electrodes are biased to produce an electrostatic discharge while placing a thin non electron absorbing gas layer near one or both of the electrodes which are used to develop the electric field. As a result, atmospheric oxygen, water vapor and other contaminants are removed from the regions surrounding the electrodes, allowing ionization to occur more easily. This is accomplished with an electrode structure including a hollow tube for receiving a gas, a plurality of apertures extending through the hollow tube for delivering the gas to the surface of the hollow tube, and the application of a biasing voltage for producing an electrostatic discharge in the presence of the gas. The tube can take the form of a longitudinally extending structure, or a hollow shell, depending upon the configuration of the electrostatic charging apparatus with which the electrode structure is used.

Abstract: High MI, high MP ethylene-fluorinated ethylene copolymers (preferably ECTFE) are meltblown through relatively large orifices. The web produced by the process is characterized by low fiber size and high strength.

Abstract: A method for post-treating a laminated precursor nonwoven web which includes layers of thermoplastic man-made fibers and at least one layer of cellulose-based staple natural fibers, including consolidating the web longitudinally and thereby reducing the maximum pore size measure of the web. The precursor web and the resultant consolidated nonwoven web are also disclosed, as is utilization of the product web in medical uses.

Abstract: A method for post-treating a laminated precursor nonwoven web which includes layers of thermoplastic man-made fibers and at least one layer of cellulose-based staple natural fibers, including consolidating the web laterally and thereby reducing the maximum pore size measure of the web. The precursor web and the resultant consolidated nonwoven web are also disclosed, as is utilization of the product web in medical uses.

Abstract: A method for post-treating a precursor nonwoven web including consolidating the web laterally and thereby reducing the maximum pore size measure of the web. The resultant nonwoven web is also disclosed as is utilization of the product web as a filter.